Ten Frequently Asked Questions about Moving to Indonesia

This month we bring you some of the questions that we are most frequently asked. We hope that the answers will be helpful to you.

Q1. Is the air in Jakarta always polluted?

Poor air quality is a fact of life in Jakarta. The pollution in Jakarta consists mostly of substances like Sulphur Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide and dust particles. Seventy per cent of the air-pollution in the city is produced by motor vehicles – private cars, taxis, buses trucks and motorbikes. In recent years there has been a slight increase in the number of clean air days due to efforts by the government. Since 2001 only un-leaded gasoline has been sold in Jakarta and in 2005 the local government issued a regulation on Air Pollution Control covering fuel improvement, promoting of cleaner vehicle technology, better traffic management, and stringent emission standards as well as law enforcement. Most expatriates prefer to live in South Jakarta where the air quality is slightly better than in other parts of the city. They also avail themselves of opportunities to spend as much time as possible outside of the city.

For more information, read our article on Air Pollution

Q2. Is it safe to walk the streets?

Most of Jakarta’s streets do not have proper sidewalks, and those sidewalks that do exist are often in poor condition, therefore walking in Jakarta can be a challenge. The heat and air pollution also make walking unpleasant. Some areas are known to be frequented by thieves riding on motorbikes who may be looking for the chance to grab your purse. Just as in most major cities anywhere in the world, there are areas of Jakarta that may not be safe after dark.

for more information, read our article on Security at Home and around Town

Q3. How is the medical care?

There are several hospitals and clinics in Jakarta offering international standard facilities, and many of the doctors practicing there have received their basic or specialist training overseas. Many expatriates however
still prefer to go to nearby Singapore for operations and major medical problems. There are also international dental facilities available in Jakarta and many of the practicing dentists obtained their degrees from overseas universities so it is not difficult to find English- speaking dentists. Good dentists can be expensive, and most expatriates make a habit of having regular dental check ups during their home leave.

For more information, read our article on Medical Facilities in Indonesia

Q4. What are common illnesses in Indonesia, Jakarta specifically?

The most common illnesses are:

Bacteria/gastric problems – ensure you and your staff follow proper hand washing and proper washing/
disinfecting/handling procedures of vegetables, fruits and other food products, eat only fully cooked meats,
avoid ice from unknown sources, drink only bottled water;

Tuberculosis (TB) – have your domestic staff tested yearly as it is highly contagious but treatable; Dengue Fever – use mosquito repellent and take measures around your home and while on holiday, keep your yard
clear of standing water;

Malaria – contracted from bite of the Anopheles mosquito, symptoms similar to the fu, not prevalent in Jakarta, there are preventative anti-malaria drugs which should be taken on the advice of your doctor when traveling to remote areas of Indonesia;

Typhoid Fever – caused by Salmonellae bacteria and contracted by ingestion of contaminated food or water, symptoms are poor appetite, headaches and fever, treatable with antibiotics;

Typhus – disease caused by rodent feces, thoroughly clean the tops of your canned goods before opening;
Parasites – all meats should be fully cooked, contact a medical clinic for proper medications;

Avian influenza – eat only fully cooked chicken and chicken products, including eggs, wash eggs in the shell,
avoid contact with fowl.

In all cases do not self-diagnose or self-medicate. See a doctor as soon as possible in order to recognize and treat local illnesses.

For more information, read our numerous articles on Medical Concerns During your Stay in Indonesia

Q5. Must our maid live-in? Where can I find a maid?

It is not necessary to have your maid live in at your home or apartment. This is entirely a matter of personal
preference. In Jakarta there are various ways to locate and set up interviews with potential staff for your home. Perhaps the very best way is through word- of-mouth from friends and colleagues as you will have personal references to go by. Another excellent source is community bulletin boards, where expatriates who are leaving the country often post notices in order to place their staff. Often you will have the chance to speak with the former employer. These bulletin boards are found in many supermarkets, clubs and organizations frequented by the expatriate community, however to ensure authenticity of information,
it is recommended to choose staff from boards that are not accessible to the general public and are located
inside the buildings of the clubs and organizations. Another way to source staff is from other helpers’ friends and family. It is possible that someone who is working for a friend may know of someone who is looking for work. Indonesians normally would not recommend just anyone, as it is seen as a loss of face if that person does not work out.

For more information, read our article on Hiring Household Staff

Q6. Do I need a security guard?

Most expatriates living in a house have a watchman (or jaga) to guard their home. They are often referred to as day jaga or night jaga, each working a 12-hour shift. Some people choose to have only a night watchman, while others may choose to have a jaga during the day as well. The jaga’s duty is to ensure the safety of the house, the residents and household contents. He also opens the gate for your car when you leave and arrive home, and deals with people coming to your gate. Various people may come to your gate, trying to sell you something or requesting a donation, legitimate or otherwise. Your jaga should screen these people and, in accordance with your policy, either turn them away or inform you of their presence. Your jaga
should never allow anyone to enter your gate without your specific permission. It is much easier to turn an undesirable person away if they have not yet entered your yard. The day jaga often doubles as a gardener and does routine pool maintenance. The night jaga does not necessarily stay awake all night to watch over the house, but is expected to wake up in case of trouble. He should at least be sleeping in a strategic position on the front patio or in the garage. In order to help the jaga stay awake, it’s a good idea to put a small television set or a radio in the garage or other appropriate location. Some homes are guarded day and night by teams of satpam who are trained in guard duties and are distinguishable by the fact that they wear official looking uniforms. The term satpam is an abbreviation of Satuan Petugas Keamanan, which means Security Officers’ Unit. Satpam are considered to be more professional than jaga as they have participated in a training program and are licensed by the local government. The duty of a satpam is to ensure the safety of your family especially in any dangerous situation and to open the gate and screen visitors to your home. They are not expected to assist with domestic duties or pool work. Satpam are hired through an agency or security consultant company. If you have a satpam there is no need for you to employ a jaga.

For more information, read our article on Residential Guards and Watchmen - Jaga

Q7. Are the schools good?

Choosing a school for your children is a very important decision for expatriate families moving to Jakarta and generally one of the highest priorities. Fortunately there are numerous international schools of a very high standard available. The largest international school in Jakarta is Jakarta International School (JIS), which has a total enrollment of over 2,000 students at three campuses all located in South Jakarta. The school is open to English speaking students of all nationalities and has many excellent facilities. The school year runs from mid August to early June. A very high quality of education is also provided by the British International School (BIS) following the British National Curriculum and offering GCSE as well as the International Baccalaureate. The school is located on a large modern campus with impressive facilities at Bintaro on the South West outskirts of the city. The school is open to British citizens and other English speaking students and has an enrollment of over 1,000 students. The school year begins in late August and ends in July. Other options for English speaking students include ACG International School, the Australian International School (AIS), The Singapore International School (SIS), the New Zealand International School, Gandhi Memorial International School and North Jakarta International School (NJIS). For speakers of other languages there are schools such as Deutsche Internationale Schule (DIS), Jakarta International Korean School (JIKS), Jakarta Japanese School (JJS), Lycée International Français (LIF) and Nederlandse Internationale School (NIS).

For more information, surf the listings of International Schools in Indonesia

Q8. Where can I buy a cellular phone?

Major international brands of cellular phones are readily available, including the latest models with all the new features. Any shopping mall in Jakarta will have several stores or kiosks offering cellular phones or hand phones, as they are called in Indonesia. Prices range from approximately Rp 600,000 to Rp 10,000,000. Some hand phones purchased abroad will work in Indonesia provided that you subscribe to an operator that utilizes the same system. For example, if your phone uses the GSM system, you can subscribe to Telkomsel (Simpati, Kartu As, Kartu Halo), Indosat (Mentari, Matrix), Excelcomindo (Jempol, Bebas, ProXL) or Hutchison HCPT (“3”) and all you need to do is buy a GSM card from the Indonesian operator to obtain a new number. The products vary regarding costs of domestic and international calls and SMS, as well as costs for minimum “top up” and international roaming. You can use a prepaid card to top up your phone as necessary (this is often referred to as purchasing “pulsa”) or have it done electronically by the vendor. You can also use the postpaid system and pay a monthly bill for the cost of calls you have already made. If you use a pre-paid SIM card you do not need to subscribe to a service, simply purchase a voucher from a shop or phone kiosk and register some personal data to activate it. There are several ways to get connected to a network, and all phone sellers can get you online instantly.

For more information, read our article on handphones

Q9. Is tipping customary in Indonesia?

Tipping is not compulsory in Indonesia; however there are certain situations where it is customary. The bellboy who carries your luggage when you check in to a hotel should be given a tip of about Rp 10,000. In a restaurant a tax and service charge, usually amounting to 21%, is added to the check. If you are happy with the service provided it is common to add a little extra. In a taxi, just round up the metered fare a little or add a couple of thousand Rupiahs, depending on the distance traveled. In a hair salon there is a hierarchy with the hair stylist expecting a higher tip than the person who shampoos your hair. Tips are also customary for massages, manicures, etc.

Q10. Where can I buy western-sized clothing?

Western-sized clothing is available at some department stores belonging to international chains and also at factory outlet stores. A lot of clothing is made in Indonesia for export and some of it ends up in the local outlets in Jakarta and Bandung. See the AWA Jakarta Shopper’s Guide for listings of factory outlet stores. If you are unable to find something you like you could also take advantage of the excellent and inexpensive tailoring and dressmaking services available throughout the city.

Our appreciation to Colliers International for their generous contribution of this article. May 2009

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